Boston Red Sox sign outfielder Kevin Pillar from the Giants

Kevin Pillar (Keith Allison, Wikimedia Commons)

The Boston Red Sox seemed to be looking for a fourth outfielder after trading Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers. On Saturday, they found one via free agency.

The Red Sox signed Kevin Pillar of Los Angeles, California to a one year contract worth $4.25 million according to Field Level Media. However, it seems Pillar’s role may not be as a starter in Boston. That is because the team currently has left fielder Andrew Benintendi of Cincinnati, Ohio, center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. of Richmond, Virginia and right fielder Alex Verdugo of Tucson, Arizona.

Pillar batted .259 with 21 home runs and 88 runs batted in during 611 at bats in 2019 with the Toronto Blue Jays and San Francisco Giants. In 161 games and 645 at bats, Pillar scored 82 runs, collected 158 hits, 37 doubles, three triples, 14 stolen bases, 18 walks, a .287 on base percentage, .432 slugging percentage, 264 total bases and seven sacrifice flies. He had career highs in runs scored, triples, home runs, runs batted in, slugging percentage, total bases and sacrifice flies.

Pillar has been known for his marvelous defense in his career. Now he will have to face the challenges of trying to figure out the difficult Green Monster at Fenway Park.

The fact that the Red Sox signed a fourth outfielder to a contract of over $4 million may be a little surprising. There seems to be added pressure on Bradley Jr. and Verdugo to perform. Bradley Jr. only batted .225 in 494 at bats last season, and Verdugo is questionable for the start of the season after having a lower back stress fracture in 2019.